Device for the medical care of a patient in an emergency

ABSTRACT

A device ( 1 ) for the medical care of a patient in an emergency which comprises an item of clothing ( 2 ) which may be worn by the patient on the body and monitoring devices ( 8, 9 ) arranged on the item of clothing ( 2 ), which may monitor at least one physiological function of the patient, in order to detect an emergency. The device further comprises a cardiac compression device ( 3, 4 ) arranged on the item of clothing ( 2 ), which is operatively connected to the monitoring device ( 8, 9 ), in order to treat the patient with a cardiac resuscitation when the monitoring device ( 3, 4 ) determines an emergency, and a defibrillator ( 5, 6, 7 ) as well as the intraosseous delivery of drugs into the bone marrow cavity of the breast bone. Moreover, a device ( 1 ) for the medical care of a patient in an emergency, which comprises as a therapeutic device a respiratory therapeutic device ( 10, 11, 12, 13 ) which is able to supply oxygen and/or a drug for pulmonary resuscitation into the respiratory system of the patient.

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/532,542, filed Oct. 9, 2009, which is a national stageapplication under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT Application No.PCT/EP2008/053367 filed Mar. 20, 2008, which claims priority to and thebenefit of German patent application Serial No. 10 2007 014 136.1, filedMar. 23, 2007, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for the medical care of a patient inan emergency.

PRIOR ART

A jacket which may be worn by a patient on the body is known from theEuropean patent application EP 1 550 398 A1, which is provided with aplurality of sensors and therapeutic devices. A pressure sensor, atemperature sensor, a microphone and a biochemical sensor are provided,amongst others, as sensors. The sensors are intended to measure, amongstothers, the blood pressure, the body temperature, the pulse, the oxygenlevel in the blood and the blood sugar level. An oxygen source, a pump,airbags, a hypodermic syringe and an electroshock device are provided,amongst others, as therapeutic devices. The airbags are intended,together with the pump, to correct the posture of the patient, to fix abroken bone in position, to stop bleeding or carry out cardiacresuscitation or a Heimlich maneuver.

The U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,661 discloses a patient monitoring systemcomprising a portable device and a base station. The portable devicecomprises, amongst others, an electrocardiograph and aphotoplethysmograph. The system is able to analyse data detected therebyand, if necessary, notify a base station via a mobile telephone network,transmit physiological data of the patient thereto and create a voicecommunication. Moreover, therapeutic devices which are attached to thepatient may be activated from the base station, for example an externaldefibrillator, a pace-maker or an automatic drug infusion device.

An external defibrillation and drug injection system is known from theU.S. Pat. No. 5,405,362, which is provided, in particular, for treatingpatients with cardiac disorders away from hospital. The system comprisesa device which is able to monitor a plurality of physiologicalparameters of the patient, and an expert system which makesrecommendations for treatment to an operator. Moreover, it comprises anexternal defibrillation device and a device for the automatic injectionof a drug into the bone marrow , by means of which the operator is ableto treat the patient.

The U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,148 discloses a system for the automatictreatment of cardiac malfunction without human intervention. The systemreceives physiological signals from the patient, which relate to thecirculatory system thereof, and processes said signals using amicroprocessor. The microprocessor controls treatment devices, includinga defibrillator and a device for intravenous drug delivery.

Finally, a system for the mobile monitoring of the cardiac function of apatient is known from the German Utility Model DE 20 2005 02 525 U1. Inthe system, electrodes for forwarding an electrocardiogram are connectedwirelessly, or by electrodes running in an item of clothing, to acentral control unit. The central control unit is able to store andprocess the electrocardiogram data, as well as transmit a message to anexternal receiver and create a voice communication therewith. It furthercomprises a GPS unit for positioning the system. An interface on thecentral control unit allows the transmission of the data to an externalmedium.

THE PROBLEM UNDERLYING THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide an improved device for themedical care of a patient in an emergency.

SOLUTION ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION

To solve the object, the invention teaches a device for the medical careof a patient in an emergency which comprises an item of clothing,wherein the item of clothing is worn by the patient on the body, amonitoring device arranged on the item of clothing that monitors atleast one physiological function of the patient to determine anemergency, and a therapeutic device for treating the patient when themonitoring device determines an emergency, wherein the therapeuticdevice is arranged on the item of clothing, and operatively connected tothe monitoring device, and wherein the therapeutic device is selectedfrom the group consisting of a respiratory therapeutic device thatendotracheally supplies oxygen, an oxygen-containing gas mixture and/orat least one drug wherein the respiratory therapeutic device comprises apuncture unit for perforating the trachea of the patient below thelarynx and wherein the monitoring device can without the activeinvolvement of the patient or a third party trigger the perforation whenit determines an emergency, and a puncture device that delivers a drugin an intraosseous manner.

To solve the object, the invention further teaches a device for themedical care of a patient in an emergency wherein the drug may bedelivered into the bone marrow cavity of the breast bone via thepuncture device. As the therapeutic device comprises a respiratorytherapeutic device, in an emergency it may be achieved by means of theinvention to obtain access to the respiratory system of the patient, inparticular to carry out life-saving measures.

The invention may be used, in particular, for patients who are at anincreased risk, due to an existing cardiac-circulatory disorders, ofsuffering a sudden cardiac arrest or cardiac movements which produce nocardiac output (for example palpitations) or respiratory arrest. Theemergency may, in particular, be a cardiac arrest or respiratory arrest.It may be achieved by means of the invention to reduce the probabilitythat a patient dies as a result of the emergency.

As the monitoring and therapeutic devices are arranged on the item ofclothing, it is possible to provide a device which may be worn on thebody. This may, in particular, contribute to the increase in themobility of the patient and improve the quality of life thereof. It maybe achieved by means of the invention that monitoring and treatment ofthe patient takes place without the active involvement thereof or thatof a third party. As the monitoring device and the therapeutic devicesare operatively connected, the monitoring device, when it determines anemergency, may trigger a treatment or different treatments in a logicalmedical sequence or simultaneously as a result of the therapeuticdevices.

STRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOLUTION ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION

Advantageous embodiments and developments which may be used individuallyor in combination with one another form the subject-matter of thedependent claims.

The device according to the invention preferably comprises adefibrillator as a therapeutic device. Preferably, the defibrillator isarranged on the item of clothing. The preferred defibrillator may carryout cardioversion and/or defibrillation. It preferably comprises atleast two electrodes, which may be attached to the patient preferably onthe chest wall thereof, in order to supply the patient with a sufficientcurrent impulse for defibrillation. The electrodes are preferablygel-releasing electrodes which, before the application of the currentimpulse, release a conductive gel between the electrode and the chestwall or allow protection of the skin in a different manner.

A preferred defibrillator is operatively connected to the monitoringunit. Preferably, the defibrillator carries out defibrillation orcardioversion, when the monitoring device detects a cardiac arrest, atcertain time intervals and with increasing intensity, until themonitoring device detects a restoration of cardiac activity, or untilthe defibrillator is deactivated externally, for example by a paramedicfrom a rescue service.

Preferably, the device according to the invention comprises as atherapeutic device a cardiac compression device for cardiacresuscitation. With this embodiment of the invention it may be achievedthat a minimal circulation is again produced and/or maintained inpatients. Preferably, the monitoring device may trigger the cardiaccompression, when it determines a cardiac arrest and may particularlypreferably be carried out for a sufficient length of time until itdetects the reinstatement of cardiac activity or until the cardiaccompression device is deactivated externally, for example by a paramedicof a rescue service.

The cardiac compression device is preferably controlled such that aresting phase respectively follows a predetermined number of cardiaccompressions, in which other therapeutic measures may be carried out,preferably by one or more different therapeutic devices of the device(for example artificial respiration, intraosseous drug delivery). Thecardiac compression device is preferably controlled such that when thepatient is also treated with the defibrillator, the cardiac compressionsrespectively take place between the individual defibrillations and/orcardioversions. The preferred frequency of the cardiac compressions isbetween 30 and 200, preferably between 50 and 120 compressions perminute. The dwell time in the maximum compressed position is preferablythe same as the relaxed position, i.e. the pressure phase and therelaxed phase are of the same length. A preferred cardiac compressiondevice uses airbags which preferably are inflated and emptied by a pump,for example as disclosed in EP 1 550 398 A1. The relevant contents ofthe aforementioned document are incorporated into the present disclosureby reference.

Preferably, the cardiac compression device presses the breast bone inthe transition region from its central to its lower third against thespinal column, preferably by 2 to 12 cm, particularly preferably byapproximately 6 centimetres. The preferred compression frequency isapproximately 50 to 70, particularly preferably approximately 60,compressions per minute. A preferred cardiac compression device is, tothis end, provided with a pneumatic plunger or spring mechanism. Thebearing surface of the plunger is preferably between 2 to 10,particularly preferably approximately 5 centimetres wide and 5 to 20,particularly preferably approximately 10 centimetres long. In order toallow sufficient pressure against the spinal column, the item ofclothing adopts a rigid state in the back region, at least for therespective duration of the cardiac compression.

A further preferred cardiac compression device operates according to thethorax pump method. Preferably, it comprises a substantially tubularairbag, for example similar to an oversized blood pressure sleeve, whichis placed around the thorax and is insufflated and desufflated by meansof a pneumatic device. With this embodiment of the invention, asubstantially uniform compression of the entire thorax and thus agenuine reduction of the cross section of the thorax and, in particular,also the volume of the thorax may be achieved. The preferredinsufflation pressure is between 150 and 350, particularly preferablyapproximately 250 millimetres Hg. The preferred compression frequency isapproximately 50 to 70, particularly preferably approximately 60,compressions per minute. It is an achievable advantage of thisembodiment of the invention that by the compression of the thorax acompression of the lungs may also be carried out. This may alsocontribute to the fact that in addition to minimal circulation, minimalrespiration is also maintained.

A preferred cardiac compression device operates according to theprinciple of interposed abdominal counterpulsation (IAC-CPR). In thiscase, during the relaxation of the thorax, the abdomen is compressed inthe region of the navel, for example by means of a plunger or by meansof a substantially tubular airbag, as described above in connection withthe thorax pump method. The pressure of the abdominal compression ispreferably between 50 and 150 millimetres Hg. Preferably, thecompression takes place according to the principle of interposedabdominal counterpulsation (IAC-CPR) with intubated patients.Additionally, the device according to the invention preferably comprisesa suitable respiratory therapeutic device, particularly preferably asdisclosed below. In a preferred modification of the interposed abdominalcounterpulsation, a continuous compression of the abdomen takes place,i.e. also exerted during the thorax compression, also denoted as“abdominal binding”.

The cardiac compression device comprises, in a preferred embodiment,means in order to lift the thorax during the relaxed phase. Such acardiac compression device may operate according to the method of activecompression-decompression (ACD-CPR). In this embodiment of the inventionit may be achieved that an intrathoracic vacuum is produced, in order toimprove the diastolic venous return. This may increase both theintrathoracic blood volume and improve the ventilation of the lungs.Particularly preferably, the cardiac compression device combines theactive compression-decompression with the interposed abdominalcounterpulsation. To this end, it may for example comprise two plungers,respectively one thereof being able to be attached to the thorax and oneto the abdomen, and which are preferably connected to one another via alever. Then alternately, as with two weighing scale pans, either thethorax is compressed and the abdomen decompressed (systole) or viceversa.

In a preferred modification of the aforementioned method for cardiaccompression a higher compression frequency is used, preferably between100 and 200, particularly preferably between 120 and 150 compressionsper minute. An achievable advantage of this embodiment of the inventionis an increased heart-time-volume through flow.

A preferred device according to the invention comprises a puncturedevice which may deliver a drug in an intraosseous manner, particularlypreferably into the bone marrow. The puncture device preferablycomprises a cannula, in order to puncture a bone, particularlypreferably the breast bone. With this embodiment of the invention it maybe achieved to gain access to the bone marrow cavity, in order thereby,preferably through the cannula, to administer injectable or infusibledrugs from a drug reservoir. A similar mechanism may, for example, beused as the autoinjection mechanism disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,362. The relevant content of the aforementioned document are incorporatedinto the present disclosure by reference.

Instead of, or in addition to, the endotracheal access of therespiratory therapeutic device, the puncture device according to theinvention may advantageously provide a similarly advantageousintraosseous administration route. The puncture device is preferablyarranged on the item of clothing. It is preferably operatively connectedto the monitoring device. In a preferred embodiment of the invention,the puncture device is integrated at least partially in a sub-assemblywith the cardiac compression unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a respiratorytherapeutic device which is able to supply oxygen and/or at least onedrug endotracheally. The respiratory therapeutic device is preferablyarranged on the item of clothing. It is preferably operatively connectedto the monitoring device. A preferred respiratory therapeutic devicecomprises a puncture unit, in order to perforate the trachea below thelarynx. The monitoring device may trigger the perforation when itdetermines an emergency.

A preferred puncture unit comprises a semi-circular puncture cannula,preferably with a diameter of between 5 and 20 millimetres, particularlypreferably between 8 and 16 millimetres. It further preferably comprisesa flap mechanism, particularly preferably a spring-loaded flapmechanism, in order to drive the puncture cannula towards the lungs intothe trachea. A similar mechanism may, for example, be used as theautoinjection mechanism disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,362.

Preferably, the respiratory therapeutic device comprises a reservoirwith oxygen, particularly preferably medical oxygen, or is connected tosuch a reservoir, in order to supply oxygen from the reservoir into therespiratory system of the patient. It may be achieved by this embodimentof the invention that the supply of oxygen to the patient duringresuscitation is improved, in particular for improved artificialrespiration during minimal passive respiratory movements taking placeduring cardiac compression. Preferably, the oxygen supply is triggeredby the monitoring device. A specific amount of medical oxygen isinsufflated endotracheally from the oxygen reservoir, particularlypreferably between 4 and 16 litres per minute, particularly preferablybetween 6 and 10 litres per minute.

A preferred respiratory therapeutic device also uses a pump forartificial respiration with oxygen or an oxygen-containing mixture,preferably an oxygen-air mixture, by means of which an artificialrespiration volume, preferably individually predetermined, may beinsufflated at a predetermined pressure and at a predetermined frequencyin the cardiac compression resting phases for pulmonary resuscitation.

A preferred respiratory therapeutic device comprises a tube which may bepositioned endotracheally, which is preferably guided through thepuncture cannula. In this embodiment of the invention, the oxygen or theoxygen-containing mixture may be preferably controlled by means of apump or by adjusting the pressure of the oxygen reservoir, supplied inthe form of individual artificial respiration movements through thetube.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that as soonas the detection device determines respiratory arrest, after a certainlatency period the trachea is perforated by means of the puncture unitbelow the larynx and an artificial respiration tube is pushedendotracheally through the cannula lumen towards the lungs. Theartificial respiration tube has preferably only a slightly smallerdiameter than the cannula. It is pushed towards the lungs, preferablybetween 5 and 15 centimetres, particularly preferably approximately 10centimetres. Preferably in the upper third of the tube a cuff isprovided. By filling the cuff with oxygen the trachea wall is sealed. Asa result, advantageously the aspiration of foreign bodies, for examplevomit, may be avoided.

Preferably, the respiratory therapeutic device comprises at least onereservoir with at least one drug or is connected to such a reservoir inorder to supply the drug from the reservoir into the respiratory systemof the patient. Particularly preferably, the respiratory therapeuticdevice may supply a plurality of drugs and to this end comprises one ormore drug reservoirs and/or is connected thereto, such as for example inU.S. Pat. No. 5,405,362, the entire relevant contents thereofincorporated into the present disclosure by reference. The supply of thedrug(s) is preferably triggered by the monitoring device. The drug(s)is(are) preferably in solution.

In a preferred embodiment, the respiratory therapeutic device has a thincatheter which particularly preferably is able to be pushedautomatically through the lumen of the endotracheally located tube orthrough the lumen of the puncture cannula into the wind pipe. Thecatheter may, for example, be used to supply the drug (s) or byactivating a vacuum be used to suck up aspirated material. Preferably,the catheter is pushed towards the lungs approximately 10 to 30,particularly preferably approximately 20 centimetres into the wind pipe.The active substance, adrenalin, is considered as a drug, for example.With this embodiment of the invention, it is advantageously achievableto deliver the drug via the catheter deep into the trachea and/or tosuck up aspirated material, in order to optimise the mechanical attemptsat resuscitation. The suctioned material is preferably collected in asealed container.

The item of clothing is, or preferably comprises, a harness, belt, ajacket or a shirt. The harness may, for example, be a shoulder harnessor a shoulder or underarm holster. The jacket may, for example, beconfigured in a similar manner to the commercially available LifeShirt.Moreover, components of the invention (for example energy sources) orparts thereof may be accommodated in other items of clothing (forexample the soles of shoes) or aids which are carried (for example awalking stick).

The monitoring device is preferably provided with means for determininga cardiac and/or respiratory arrest, particularly preferably at leastone means from the group of means which comprises: ECG unit, ultrasoundunit, stethoscope, infrared unit, expansion sensor. The ECG unitcomprises at least two electrodes in order to receive anelectrocardiogram. The ultrasound unit may preferably receive asonogram. With the stethoscope, for example, the heart sounds and/orlung activity may be monitored. The preferred stethoscope is anelectronic stethoscope, which is able to convert the heart sound into anelectrical signal, preferably by means of a microphone. Movements of therib cage related to the respiration may be detected by means of theexpansion sensor.

Preferably, the device according to the invention comprises a memorydevice in order to store data provided by other devices, in particularthe monitoring device. The memory device preferably stores data which isprovided from one or more means for determining a cardiac or respiratoryarrest, for example the ECG unit, the ultrasound unit, the stethoscope,the infrared unit or the expansion sensor. A preferred memory devicecomprises sufficient memory capacity in order to store signals for atime period of up to 24 hours. The memory device is preferably arrangedon the item of clothing.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device for the medicalcare of a patient in an emergency comprises a positioning device inorder to detect the current position coordinates of the wearer. Thepositioning device may, for example, comprise a means which may belocated by a direction-finding transmitter and/or receiver. It may alsocomprise a device for determining the position by using asatellite-assisted positioning system, for example the GPS positioningsystem or the future Galileo system. Advantageously, the positioningdevice comprises a means for positioning by means of a mobile radionetwork, for example a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications)network. This type of positioning utilizes the fact that each mobileradio transmitter and/or receiver is registered for the use of themobile radio service in a cell, of which the range is known. Althoughthis type of positioning possibly does not have the accuracy ofsatellite-assisted positioning, for example when, due to a lower numberof transmitter masts in an area, one radio cell encompasses a largearea, the mobile radio positioning system may be of use as an additionalpossibility for positioning, when the more accurate satellite-assistedpositioning is not able to be implemented, for example in enclosedspaces or tunnels.

Advantageously, the positioning device comprises means for associatingdetected position coordinates with generally understandable localinformation, for example place, road, house number and floor level. Apreferred positioning device comprises means to identify a rescueservice point which is geographically the closest to the wearer. Thepositioning device is preferably arranged on the item of clothing.

Preferably the device according to the invention comprises acommunication device for transmitting a message to a remote receiver,for example a rescue service point. The communication device ispreferably forwarded to an alarm device in order to send an alarm to thereceiver automatically and preferably by telephone, for example by amobile radio network. The communication device is to this endexpediently provided with a mobile radio transmitter and/or receiver,which for example uses GSM services or UMTS services. The mobile radiotransmitter and/or receiver may, at the same time, be the means for GSMpositioning or form a unit therewith. The system according to theinvention is, however, not limited to current conventional mobile radioservices (GSM and UMTS); but a transmitter and/or receiver for any typeof wide-ranging wireless communication is conceivable.

Preferably, the communication device may communicate to the receiverinformation about the condition of the patient. The message transmittedto the external receiver may transmit information about cardiacmalfunction of the patient and/or electrocardiographic signals thereof,preferably the electrocardiographic signals over a time period, whichincludes at least three, and at most 60, minutes. As a result of thisembodiment of the invention it may be achieved that the receiver hasbeen previously informed about the type of cardiac malfunction, so thatit may take appropriate measures more rapidly. Preferably, thecommunication device communicates to the receiver about the identity ofthe patient, particularly preferably in accordance with data protectionlaws. The message to the receiver may, for example, contain a patientidentification number.

Preferably, the communication device communicates to the receiver aboutthe location of the patient, preferably by means of automatic speechsynthesis. To this end, the communication device is preferablyoperatively connected to the positioning device. Expediently, themessage transmitted to the receiver includes the result ofsatellite-assisted positioning, the result of the positioning by meansof a mobile radio network and/or other location information, in order toallow thereby a rapid and as accurate as possible communication to theexternal receiver about the location of the patient. Expediently, themessage sent to the receiver comprises information about whether thetransmission of the message has been triggered manually orautomatically. The communication device preferably has a self-testfunction, which regularly, for example once a day, creates a testconnection to the external receiver and particularly preferably displaysthis process via a visual display as successful or failed. This testfunction may preferably also at any time be carried out manually by thewearer by pressing on a button.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, thecommunication device comprises a means for manual activation by whichthe transmission of a message to the external receiver, preferably arescue service, is triggered. By the means for manual activation, thepossibility is provided to the patient to transmit a message to theexternal receiver when the patient is, for example, in an emergencysituation, which is not recognised by the system according to theinvention and/or may not be recognised, for example an emergencysituation, which has not been triggered by cardiac malfunction, or evenwhen the patient has doubts about whether the system according to theinvention is operating correctly.

Preferably, the communication device is developed to form a device forproducing a speech connection between the patient and/or thesurroundings thereof and the external receiver, preferably the rescueservice, or a further external receiver. An achievable advantage of thisembodiment of the invention is that a consultation between the patientand the rescue service point is possible, for example in order toeliminate false alarms or in order to speak to a third party, forexample a first aider, passer-by or relative where the patient islocated, for example to specify the location of the attack, tocommunicate the sequence of events or to communicate information, as towhether immediate measures are necessary. To this end, the communicationdevice is expediently provided with a handsfree means. In one embodimentof the invention, the handsfree means are developed such that passers-bymay be made aware of the condition of the wearer. The communicationdevice is preferably arranged on the item of clothing.

The device according to the invention preferably comprises at least oneinterface device for transmitting data provided from other equipment ofthe device to an external medium, particularly preferably the monitoringdevice. Expediently, an interface device is an interface according tothe USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard and/or according to theBluetooth Standard. The interface device is preferably arranged on theitem of clothing.

In a preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention has avisual and/or acoustic and/or vibrating display device for displayingstatus information, warnings and/or system information. For example,status information about the energy supply, system information relativeto a correct positioning of the electrodes and/or relative to a correctconnection of the electrodes to the central control unit and possiblywarnings when obvious cardiographic or respiratory-specific signalsoccur or the imminent expiry date of the drugs or the oxygen may bedisplayed. By means of the visual and/or acoustic and/or vibratingdisplay device the patient may expediently be informed, for example,about possibly occurring errors and, in particular, about irregularitiesdetermined by the monitoring device, which could be attributed tocardiac and/or respiratory malfunctions. The display device ispreferably arranged on the item of clothing.

The device according to the invention preferably comprises an energydevice for supplying other equipment of the device with energy. Theenergy device may, for example, comprise a rechargable battery or a fuelcell. The energy device is preferably arranged on the item of clothing.Electrical conductors to the other devices are preferably also arrangedon the item of clothing.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, oneor more devices or parts from one or more devices from the group ofdevices which includes: the monitoring device, energy device, memorydevice, positioning device, direction-finding device, communicationdevice, interface device, display device, energy device are accommodatedin a central control unit. The control unit does not necessarily have tobe arranged on the item of clothing or to be worn directly against thebody. For example, it is conceivable that the control unit is configuredsuch that a patient, when for example lying in bed, is able to positionthe control unit in the vicinity thereof. As a result of this embodimentof the invention, a visit from paramedic units may also be facilitatedfor the patient in that the patient does not have to carry the controlunit. In a further preferred embodiment, the control unit is releasablyfastened, for example on a belt, via which the control unit may befixedly attached, so that the weight of the central control unit hindersand/or weighs down the patient as little as possible.

The equipment of the device according to the invention and thecomponents thereof may be in communicative connection with one anotherin a wired or wireless manner. Expediently, the wireless connection is ablue tooth connection, a different radio frequency connection or aninfrared connection. However, other wireless connections are alsoconceivable, such as for example a newly developed standard for radioconnections with short ranges. Preferably, devices or components, forexample electrodes attached to the body of the patient, communicate inan acoustic or visual or vibrating manner, when the range of thewireless connection to a different device or component to which it isconnected, is exceeded.

In a preferred embodiment, the device according to the inventioncomprises a programmable device, preferably at least one microprocessor,in order to control the therapeutic devices based on the psychologicalparameters detected by the monitoring device. The programmable device ispreferably accommodated in the monitoring device. A control program ispreferably operated on the device, for example mutatis mutandis,according to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,148. The relevantcontents of the aforementioned document fare incorporated into thepresent disclosure by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in more detail hereinafter with reference toschematic drawings and embodiments with further details, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a device according to theinvention for the medical care of a patient in an emergency;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a puncture unit for the trachea.

DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO EMBODIMENTS

A device for the medical care of a patient in an emergency according tothe present invention is shown schematically in FIG. 1. The device 1comprises a shirt 2 which tightly fits against the body of its wearer.On the shirt 2 in the region of the transition from the central to thelower third of the breast bone of the wearer a tubular airbag 3 of acardiac compression device 4 is sewn into the shirt 2, in order to carryout in an emergency a cardiac compression according to the thorax pumpmethod for maintaining a minimum circulation. The airbag 3 may beinflated and emptied by means of a pump, such as for example disclosedin EP 1 550 398 A1. In a further embodiment of the invention, via apneumatic plunger or spring mechanism with a bearing surface ofapproximately 5×10 cm along the breast bone, the breast bone is pressedin the transition region from the central to the lower third at afrequency of approximately 100 per minute by approximately 6 cm againstthe spinal column. The dwell time in the maximum compressed position isthus the same as that of the relaxed position, so that the compressionand relaxed phases are of the same duration. In order to allow thepressure against the spinal column, the harness and/or the shirt have toadopt a rigid state in the back region for the respective duration ofthe cardiac compression, for example by means of airbags arranged atthat point. Moreover, via this unit, access may be created to the bonemarrow of the breast bone via a puncture cannula for the administrationof injectable or infusible drugs.

Moreover, two electrodes 5, 6 of a defibrillator 7 are sewn into theshirt 2 which, if required, release gel or allow protection of the skinin another manner and may then carry out a cardioversion. Moreover, anexpansion sensor 8 of a monitoring device 9 is fitted into the shirt inorder to monitor the respiratory activity of the wearer.

In the upper part of the shirt 2 is arranged the puncture device 10 a,10 b of a respiratory therapeutic device 11 which may perforate thetrachea 18 of the patient with a semi-circular puncture cannula 17 ofapproximately 14 mm diameter, as a puncture unit. To this end, pneumaticmeans or a pretensioned spring are provided, similar to the autoinjectordisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,362. An oxygen unit 12 of therespiratory therapeutic unit uses a sealed reservoir 19 in which medicaloxygen is stored. The reservoir is accommodated in the puncture device10 a, 10 b or in an oxygen unit 12 of the central control unit. As soonas the monitoring device 9 detects a respiratory arrest, after a certainlatency time, the trachea of the wearer is perforated below the larynxby means of the semi-circular puncture cannula 17, by the puncturedevice being moved pneumatically or by spring force in the direction ofthe arrow 20 from the position 10 a into the position 10 b.Subsequently, an artificial respiration tube 21 which has only aslightly smaller diameter than the puncture cannula, is pushed by aspring 23 and a plunger 24 through the cannula lumen approximately 10 cmendotracheally towards the lungs. After the tube has been completelypushed forward, a cuff is filled with oxygen in order to seal the tube21 from the trachea wall, and thus to avoid the aspiration, for example,of vomit. From the oxygen reservoir 19, as indicated by the arrow 22,approximately 8 litres per minute of medical oxygen are insufflated, inorder to supply with oxygen minimal passive respiratory movements takingplace during the cardiac compression. In the compression resting phases,the oxygen and/or oxygen-containing gas mixture is insufflated by meansof a pump, not shown, at a predetermined frequency in the form ofindividual artificial respiration movements.

A medical device 13 uses a sealed reservoir in which different emergencydrugs (for example adrenalin) are present, separated from one anotherand in solution. Via a thin catheter, which in an emergency isautomatically pushed through the lumen of the endotracheally locatedtube 21, approximately 20 cm into the wind pipe, the drugs may beautomatically administered deep into the trachea in order to optimisethe mechanical resuscitation attempts. Aspirated material may also besuctioned via the catheter by means of a pump as a vacuum source andcollected in a sealed container.

Oxygen and drug reservoirs, pumps and control and evaluation devices aswell as an energy device 14, a GSM transmitter and receiver, adirection-finding device and a GPS positioning device 15 are combined ina central control unit 16, which is also sewn into the shirt 2. By meansof conductors and tubes sewn into the shirt 2, the central control unit16 is connected to the other aforementioned components of the device.

The features disclosed in the aforementioned description, the claims andthe drawings may be of importance both individually and also in anycombination for the development of the invention in its differentembodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for the medical care of a patient in anemergency comprising: an item of clothing, wherein the item of clothingis worn by the patient on the body; a monitoring device arranged on theitem of clothing wherein the monitoring device monitors at least onephysiological function of the patient to determine an emergency; and atherapeutic device for treating the patient when the monitoring devicedetermines an emergency, wherein the therapeutic device is: arranged onthe item of clothing, and operatively connected to the monitoringdevice, wherein the monitoring device can, without the activeinvolvement of the patient or a third party, trigger the therapeuticdevice when the monitoring device determines an emergency, and whereinthe therapeutic device is a puncture device that delivers a drug in anintraosseous manner.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein thedrug is delivered into the bone marrow cavity of the breast bone via thepuncture device.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the devicecomprises a second therapeutic device.
 4. The device according to claim3, wherein the second therapeutic device is a defibrillator.
 5. Thedevice according to claim 3, wherein the second therapeutic device is acardiac compression device for cardiac resuscitation.
 6. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the item of clothing comprises a harness,a jacket or a shirt.
 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein themonitoring device comprises means for determining a cardiac orrespiratory arrest.
 8. The device according to claim 7, wherein themonitoring device comprises a device selected from the group consistingof ECG unit, ultrasound unit, stethoscope, infrared unit, and expansionsensor, and wherein the monitoring device detects a cardiac orrespiratory arrest.
 9. The device according to claim 1, wherein thedevice comprises a memory device for storing data provided by themonitoring device or the therapeutic device.
 10. The device according toclaim 1, wherein the device comprises a positioning device for detectingcurrent position coordinates of the patient wearing the item ofclothing.
 11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the devicecomprises a communication device for transmitting a message to a remotereceiver.
 12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the devicecomprises an interface device for transmitting data provided by themonitoring device or the therapeutic device to an external medium. 13.The device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a visualand/or acoustic display device for displaying status information,warnings and/or system information.
 14. The device according to claim 1,wherein the device comprises an energy device for supplying energy tothe monitoring device or the therapeutic device.
 15. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the monitoring device or the therapeuticdevice is accommodated in a central control unit.
 16. The deviceaccording to claim 9, wherein the memory device is accommodated in acentral control unit.
 17. The device according to claim 10, wherein thepositioning device is accommodated in a central control unit.
 18. Thedevice according to claim 11, wherein the communication device isaccommodated in a central control unit.
 19. The device according toclaim 12, wherein the interface device is accommodated in a centralcontrol unit.
 20. The device according to claim 13, wherein the displaydevice is accommodated in a central control unit.
 21. The deviceaccording to claim 14, wherein the energy device is accommodated in acentral control unit.